President George H.W. Bush's passing prompts admirers to visit library
COLLEGE STATION, Texas (FOX 26) — People are spending the weekend paying their respects at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in College Station, Texas.
"He was a good man," says Cathy Ruby.
"A war hero, just an awesome guy, an awesome family," adds Chase Bruno. "I’ve always wanted to come here. What a day to come.”
"There were people waiting when we opened to come in and sign the condolence book and give their regard to the Bush family and remember President Bush," explains George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum director Warren Finch.
In the museum’s rotunda, where so many are sending notes of sympathy to the family, there is a new photo exhibit on display. It documents President George Herbert Walker Bush’s astonishing accomplishments, from being a World War II fighter pilot whose plane was shot down, to being a devoted family man and member of Congress, to raising millions of dollars for cancer research after losing his three-year-old daughter Robin to leukemia.
"He often would say there’s no definition of a successful life without service to others and he definitely lived that," explains Finch.
"The giving back to the country and everything that he did for the country, his whole life was about service," says Monica Conner.
"I was at a Sam’s Club shortly after he left office and all of sudden, there’s this man and he’s got a couple of Secret Servicemen and I’m like, 'Oh my gosh! That’s President Bush and he’s pushing his own cart,' adds Ruby with a smile. "It was just amazing.”
Of all the magnificent memories that so many people are now sharing, one thing that stands out in so many minds is President Bush’s amazing love story that he shared with his bride of 73 years, Mrs. Barbara Bush.
"It was just pretty much amazing and he still was talking about her like the love of his life," adds Conner.
"I wish everybody could have a love story like that," says Ruby.
"Just a devoted couple and I think her death in the spring was hard on him and they’re now together again,” says Finch with a smile.
President George H.W. Bush will be laid to rest on Thursday behind the presidential library alongside former first lady Barbara Bush, who passed away in April, and their daughter Robin. The gravesite will remain closed to the public until after his interment. The library and museum will have special hours over the next few days, staying open until 8 p.m. so that everyone wishing to honor the President may have that opportunity.